Members of Bala Cynwyd Middle School's Constitution Club won the 2024-2025 "We the People" essay contest sponsored by the Judicial Council of the Third Judicial Circuit's Courts, Community and Rule of Law Committee.

Under the guidance of teacher Ann Friedlander, the students crafted the award-winning essay for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, answering the question, "How did our Nation’s Founders envision ‘the People’ when they drafted the Constitution, and how should we interpret their vision in our country today?"

The contest was open to students in fifth and sixth grades in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as to fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh graders from Delaware. 

Circuit Judge D. Brooks Smith, who chairs the committee overseeing the contest, said “Our Nation’s Founders regarded 'the People' as the very heart and soul of a democracy. The republic that their work brought forth is one in which 'the People' rule. Our committee hopes that this year’s theme will give students an opportunity to think about Americans from all walks of life and how their different life experiences combine to shape the dynamic country we all live in today.”

In a celebration also honoring Law Week, members of BCMS's winning team read their essay to a panel of judges during a ceremony at the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia on May 7, 2025.

As winners, they were able to meet the judges and pose for photos with them. You can see photos of the recognition event in the slide show below.